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* Media advisory sent last night…
Attorneys for Alaina Hampton will appear in federal court on her behalf regarding a suit filed against the Democratic Party of Illinois, Friends of Michael J. Madigan, the 13th Ward Democratic Organization and Democratic Majority, the political action committees associated with Madigan’s organization. Hampton brings the suit after filing a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in February 2018. Ms. Hampton will not be present for this court appearance. Attorneys for Hampton will be available for comment.
* Kevin Quinn, the brother of Ald. Marty Quinn who was accused of sexual harassment by Alaina Hampton which ultimately led to Hampton’s lawsuit and EEOC complaint, has circulated a document to reporters entitled “The Truth.” It’s his side of the story, but leads with this…
Acknowledgement of Responsibility & Perspective
It was never my intent to make Ms. Alaina Hampton feel uncomfortable. I take responsibility for sending the text messages she has publicly released between us and apologize for my attempts to get to know her outside of necessary interactions. In February 2017 when my supervisor approached me about my text messages with Alaina Hampton, I was reprimanded and all communications with her immediately stopped. Then during an investigation that was prompted from a letter Alaina sent to Speaker Madigan in November 2017 about the text communications, I was further reprimanded by Counsel Heather Wier Vaught in December 2017. On both occasions when I was reprimanded, I was informed that Alaina Hampton did not want me fired. I believe my February 2018 departure from working on Speaker Madigan’s political and state staff was in large a result of a pleading to a January 2018 misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, which was directly related to my bitter divorce involving a custody battle of two children.
He also claims the media has “strong unconscious personal biases against Speaker Madigan,” and says he’s only trying to counter the “misinformation that has been reported.”
* There’s some hearsay and other unverified claims within his narrative, but here is an excerpt…
• I was never Alaina Hampton’s supervisor and never had any control over her assignments.
See Appendix A that contains several text communications between Alaina Hampton and I that clearly show that Alderman Marty Quinn was her supervisor
• The 2018 campaign manager for the 5th district state representative (“RD5”) race was already determined prior to Alaina Hampton approaching Heather Wier Vaught. Alaina Hampton’s allegations that she was retaliated against because she did not obtain a job working on the RD5 race for the 2018 election cycle fails to recognize that the position of campaign manager was filled prior to her conversation.
• Alaina Hampton has quit political campaign roles and government jobs on multiple occasions. Additionally, Alaina has exaggerated the roles she served in for the political committees of Speaker Madigan.
See Appendix B for a timeline of relevant events to the Hampton Investigation. The timeline includes occasions when Aliana Hampton quit various positions as well as how her roles changed over time.
• Alaina Hampton fails to recognize a fundamental principle in politics; she was not welcomed back into any of the Speaker’s political organizations after she took a salaried position on the Marie Newman for Congress campaign against 13 Ward Democratic Organization ally, Congressman Dan Lipinski.
• In February 2016, Alaina Hampton told Alderman Marty Quinn that she did not want to communicate with me any further and immediately my communication with her stopped. There has been no contact with her since.
• Alderman Quinn’s handling of Alaina Hampton’s complaint was swift and is in alignment with the degree of confidentially she sought, the seriousness of the offense and the outcome desired by the complaintant.
• There was never any sort of cover up with respect to the investigation. Alaina Hampton had no knowledge of the misdemeanor disorderly conduct pleading that was associated with my nasty divorce and was part of the broader examination of my employment record conducted by Counsel Heather Wier Vaught.
* There’s also this…
I’ve asked Hampton’s spokesperson for a response.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Hampton’s attorney Shelly Kulwin…
“We have just received this document. We intend to review it with our client. We can say that it reads like a legal brief written by attorneys to make the litigation defendants’ case. We anticipate that the full ‘truth’ will come out once, in addition to Ms. Hampton’s texts, we are able to review the defendants’ internal communications on this issue as well other relevant discovery we obtain during the case.”
Everyone’s got a right to an opinion, but this doesn’t look like a plot by Madigan’s attorneys plot to me. It’s just too reckless. They usually don’t do reckless. Kevin really messed them up here.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Uh-oh…
However, Hampton’s attorney disclosed that there are discussions of a settlement.
“There is a lot at stake here. There is perhaps a lot more at stake than meets the eye in normal litigation,” said Shelly Kulwin, Hampton’s attorney. “But I’m all for resolving this case and I think my client is, as well. The goal here is not to go on a crusade for the next two years in litigation. The goal here is to get her specific injury addressed and re-dressed.”
Now, re-read Kulwin’s statement from the first update. If they blame Madigan’s lawyers for Quinn’s statement, any deal could easily be in jeopardy - if there really is a possibility of that happening. I’m not sure there have been actual settlement talks.
By the way, Kevin Quinn also e-mailed a fuzzy, low-resolution headshot that WBEZ used in its story. Amateur hour.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Rep. Kelly Cassidy…
Gimme a break. This is the oldest trick in the book. Just another offensive tactic from the old playbook that aims to discredit and undermine women who come forward. Women considering speaking out should not let Mr. Quinn’s despicable behavior deter them.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Expected…
A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan said no one in Madigan’s political or governmental office was involved in preparing Quinn’s memo. https://t.co/DKh6WVoPfd
— WBEZ (@WBEZ) June 13, 2018
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:23 am
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–He also claims the media has “strong unconscious personal biases against Speaker Madigan,”–
LOL, “unconscious” personal biases?
Where did Quinn get his psychiatry degree, a box of Cracker Jax?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:33 am
Mr. Quinn is not exactly a rapid response machine, eh?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:38 am
Not sure what he’s trying to accomplish here. I have a hard time imaging that his lawyer gave the green light on this one.
Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:38 am
Hmmm, there’s a lot of interesting stuff in this post. Certainly paints a different picture. But yet I certainly can’t figure out why t took them so long to fight these claims
Comment by Weems Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:39 am
lol that he wasn’t her supervisor. “It wasn’t me, it was my brother!” What a massive and critical distinction. I’m sure Marty had no influence over her whatsoever.
Comment by PJ Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:41 am
*Meant Kevin above ^
Comment by PJ Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:41 am
Um, if I’m with the Speaker, I’m extremely angry with Kevin Quinn today because this is NOT HELPFUL
Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:46 am
Kevin’s repeated harassing texts with mentions of going out for a beer, seeing her in a bikini on Facebook, and her being smoking hot … as well as his insisting she answer why she wont go out with him, and him asking if she reported his repeated advances to anyone .. All paint a picture of a super Creep who defiantly harassed her. Plus his July 6th 2017 appendix entry takes the cake .
Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:47 am
Better to let your lawyer decide on making such specific public statements.
Interesting challenge to sort out the differences between boss, and “The Boss.”
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:50 am
Not disagreeing with you ILPundit but Quinn is in a desperate bid to clear his name right now. I’m sure he feels he owes nothing to no one at this point in time.
Comment by Weems Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:55 am
ILPundit is exactly right. This is no machine production.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:55 am
Texas Red absolutely nails it. Definitely harassment
Comment by Weems Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:56 am
===Not sure what he’s trying to accomplish here===
Six months with nothing to do but stew.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 11:58 am
oh, Texas Red has given the words to Rauner….Super Creep.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:01 pm
Ahem, let’s just set aside the text messages for now and…..
Mr. Quinn, your center of gravity is still not in balance. Quit saying a word until it is. And even then, shut up. One thing those guys aren’t short on is legal help. You might be surrendering that with this kind of freelance work.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:02 pm
===Six months with nothing to do but stew.===
Yep, and it reads like it. Not sure who is going to buy that she “doesn’t report to him” when he’s high up in the organization AND the Alderman’s brother. Seems like a wasted effort.
Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:08 pm
I see that Quinn “takes responsibility” for the texts he sent. (Brave of him I guess, he didn’t blame them on ambien) but nowhere does he apologize for them or how they made Hampton feel.
Not sure how this helps him. I only seeing it harming him. And it certainly does not help defend against her federal case, which is not going to please Madigan.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:09 pm
The document is dated for May 2018, wonder why he delayed publishing it?
Comment by Lucky Charms Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:09 pm
==”apologize for my attempts to get to know her outside of necessary interactions”==
Give me a break.
Comment by headdesk Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:11 pm
–Six months with nothing to do but stew.–
And get stewed, too. This document appears to be fully krausened.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Robert Plant sang it best:
“If it keeps on rainin’ levee’s goin’ to break”
Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:12 pm
↑↑↑↑ This is but one reminder of why the annual commenter award is named after Wordslinger.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:13 pm
The first rule when you’re in a hole is to stop digging.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:36 pm
There are quite a few striking things about this document, and some newsworthy nuggets that won’t make the Madigan team happy.
But perhaps most noteworthy is that it’s a 15-page, single-spaced piece of undisputed evidence that Kevin Quinn has a very unhealthy obsession with Aliana Hampton.
Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:44 pm
==↑↑↑↑ This is but one reminder of why the annual commenter award is named after Wordslinger.==
I’ve named some things for him too!! lol
That comment was praiseworthy Sling. Kudos.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:47 pm
Shutting up must be hard to do when nobody has told you “no” your entire life. Or that’s the only thing I can figure out of this.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:52 pm
Cute how he dropped the DUI nugget in there.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 1:03 pm
I can almost hear Ray Liotta’s voice…
“It was revenge for Alaina Hampton, and a lot of other things. And there was nothing that we could do about it. Hampton had a legit complaint, and Marty was expendable. And we had to sit still and take it. It was among the Machine Hacks. It was real greaseball stuff. They even told Quinn he couldn’t work in government anymore so he had to go and find a job in the private sector.”
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 1:12 pm
Pardon, Kevin (not Marty).
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 1:13 pm
===(not Marty)===
Yet…
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 1:17 pm
Wow, you expect a 13th Ward guy to be familiar with Sun Tzu or Machiavell but not John Kingdon.
Comment by LakeviewJ Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 1:36 pm
There are opinions and there are facts. She said he was her supervisor, and he denied it. That’s a factual issue; only one person is right.
She worked for Marie Newman against the 13th Ward’s candidate. That act alone would taint future employment opportunities with the 13th Ward.
Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 2:11 pm
Interesting reference to Hampton leaving the Tarver campaign, but no start date. And she doesn’t appear to have been paid by Tarver. But she did get $1,000 a month late last year from Christian Mitchell.
Comment by LakeviewJ Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 2:11 pm
perhaps most noteworthy is that it’s a 15-page, single-spaced piece of undisputed evidence that Kevin Quinn has a very unhealthy obsession with Alaina Hampton.
Obsession. It seems to me he is telling his side. It doesn’t appear hamptons as innocent as people think….
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 2:28 pm
=== It doesn’t appear hamptons as innocent as people think===
There are no perfect victims in the world and villains are usually the ones pointing out those flaws. Don’t be a villain.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 2:38 pm
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 1:03 pm:
Cute how he dropped the DUI nugget in there.
#facts are #facts
Comment by Touche Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 2:39 pm
Cannot possibly have a combined IQ approaching three digits.
Comment by The Brothers Quinn Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 2:46 pm
47th, I adore you. (not in a bad way)
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 4:01 pm
Six-month-old obsession stew…yuck.
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 4:15 pm
Hat tip to word and 47th. Bigly.
Uh, Kevin, anyone tell you that bragging about sexually harassing only one woman is not good? It’s not like the first one is free, bro.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 4:18 pm
I agree with Rich and others. This feels like Kevin Quinn took some technical arguments that might be helpful in his defense against the lawsuit and tried to sloppily use them in a public relations offensive.
Not very effective and not what the Speaker needs right now. We usually don’t see freelancing like this from members of Camp Madigan.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 4:33 pm
“The Truth” tries to make Hampton out to be a low level paid grunt. If that is the case and she was hired just to walk precincts, why was she involved in getting mail pieces produced, etc? And why was she working on the very top races with regard to importance for the Speaker (Stratton, Marwig, Conroy & Cloonen)? I’m just scratching my head as to what Kevin Quinn hopes to accomplish with this….document.
Comment by Jen Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 5:12 pm
After just reading “The Truth” all I can say is he has learned nothing about his behavior and treatment of his victim.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 6:05 pm
This is absurd and will be covered up by madigan hand picked legislative inspector general general Julie porter who has cleared creep harassed Silverstein on the orders of Rahm. Other matters involving dem allies of madigan and Cullerton were also not investigated properly and/or cleared. Pertinent witnesses were not even interviewed. She is a laugh and a joke.
Comment by West loop realist Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 6:24 pm
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 1:12 pm:
I can almost hear Ray Liotta’s voice…
[ . . . ]
“ . . . They even told Quinn he couldn’t work in government anymore so he had to go and find a job in the private sector.”
——————
That last sentence from 47th’s quote can apply to another Quinn in government, not just Marty–some guy named Pat, that is.
Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 10:13 pm